Pool Synergy #5 - Pool and Mainstream Culture

By NYC Grind Editor, Alison M. Fischer

Although undoubtedly one of the most popular participation sports (or games, depending on who you talk to) pool, professional pool has largely fallen below the radar of mainstream pop culture.  However, as pool junkies can attest to firsthand, there is plenty for people to get excited about in the world of pool.  The intensity of the drama and the multitude of characters within the game are just a few examples of what gives pool the potential for mass popularity.

In this, the fifth issue of Pool Synergy, where pool bloggers from all over come together to write on a given topic, our contributors are sounding off on pool’s relation to mainstream culture, what kind of possibilities they see for the sport’s development, and what may be holding it back.  This was a topic I chose because I knew that there were bound to be people that felt strongly about it, and I felt that it may also serve as a springboard for some constructive discussion.  Take a look at what Pool Synergy has to offer this month…

Pool Synergy is welcoming back Markus Hoftstätter of Austria: a pool player, writer, and photographer who launched his blog during his trip to the 2009 Derby City Classic. On Markus’ blog “APPB: A Pool Player’s Blog“, he brings light to some pro players’ perspectives on what can be done to improve the image of the sport–namely German top player Ralph Eckert and Germany’s head coach Andreas Huber. Markus also brings a unique perspective of his own to the table and discusses what we can do to create positive change. Click Here to read…

Contributing for the first time is Michael Reddick, who blogs about his two-year timeline to become a pro pool player on “Angle of Reflection”.  Taking a cue from Jonathan Swift’s classic essay, Michael writes “A Modest Proposal” of his own, with a list of recommendations for revolutionizing the image of pool…. click here to check it out.

In her story, “Multiplying the Mosconi Cup Power“, NYC-based player and “Kiss of Death” team captain, Gail Glazebrook addresses what could be the “X-Factor” for the popularity of any sport: emotion.  People become fans of a sport because of the emotional connection they come to feel for the players, not necessarily because of the sport itself… and one thing that pool lacks is a way for players to connect  Click here to go to Gail’s blog, “Confessions of G Squared” and read more.

One of the cornerstones in the debate over what may keep pool from achieving mainstream status is its notoriety for gambling. In R.A. Dyer’s “Untold Stories: Billiards History” blog, he doesn’t take a side on this feud, but sheds light on how the “hustling side” of pool has impacted the general public’s perception on the game in the 20th century.  Click here to read more in his article, “Pool and the Sporting Life” .

Pool Synergy’s fearless leader and founder, John Biddle (of PoolStudent.com), also tackles the issue of gambling in his article, “Ten Reasons Why Serious Gambling is Bad for Pool.”  Although John points to the reasons why gambling negatively impacts pool’s image, he also brings up a less-talked-about point–that gambling is bad for the players too.  Click here to read John’s article.

On her blog, “Pool is a Journey“, Melinda (a Texas-based competitive pool player) brings up a perplexing fact about the pool landscape: most league & recreational players and have little to no idea who many of the top pro pool players are today.  She posits that reaching this demographic–which boasts 260,000 APA league players alone–is one of the key factors in bringing pro pool to a large-scale audience. Click here to read Melinda’s take.

As far a pool and mainstream culture go, for “Poolriah“, who blogs about all things pool, along with numerous other topics, the two are like apples and oranges.  In his Pool Synergy post, Poolriah points out some of the great hurdles that pool faces in becoming accepted in mainstream culture.  And yes, there are many… click here to read.

“Pool has a bad reputation because it has earned it.” Mike McCafferty pierces his readers with this opening statement to his article, “How To Get More People Playing Pool.” on his blog, “The Adventures of Fast Mikie.”  And Mikie does not mince words in this posting–according to him, the pool industry needs to step up it’s game in many ways, setting its standards higher in order to gain more credibility… click here to read more…

On Johnny101’s insightful blog about his studies as a beginning pool player, “A Journey Into Billiards,” he takes a look at some contradicting ways that society relates to pool. Think about your city, how many places can you find a pool table? You might not even realize it, but it’s likely that you could drive no more than 5 minutes and find a table. Pool tables are in nearly every bar in every town. I bet you all knew (or knew of) someone growing up who had a pool table at their house. Big company executives have pool tables in their offices, on their yachts, in their beach houses.  Pool is everywhere, but it is nonexistent in the mainstream sports world.  How can this be?  To check out Johnny’s article, click here.

Bringing in another international perspective is “Pool Bum,” a transplant to the Philippines, the land where pool is loved and respected by the masses.  Pool Bum writes a well-researched article that addresses why pool works in the Philippines and brings up some interesting earnings comparisons between top pro pool players and other top sports stars. Click here to read the article.

For NYC Grind’s contribution to the March issue of Pool Synergy, we are hosting a rather “snarky” guest contributor–the anonymous blogger from the now-defunct poolcuenews.com… read it here.

Thank you to everyone who contributed on this topic for Pool Synergy!  What are your thoughts on how pool relates to mainstream culture and public perception?