Over on a popular pool and billiards forum I visit, a hot topic has been discussion about how to make pool relevant again to the American public.

Even as a pool fan, I can see how televised pool can be yawn inducing, especially 9 ball, and with modern table conditions (Simonis felt, etc), the game is just comes too easy for a top player. On the pool forums, the regulars make fun of 9 ball like the regulars here make fun of "donkaments." Top players would rather play 10 ball or One pocket, which are much tougher, lower variance games that are a better indication of skill than 9 ball, which has been derided as a game for "bangers" (the pool version of donkey).

Also worth noting is that the relatively small prize payouts don't do much to heighten drama. "Uh They're only playing for 20K?" Peanuts compared to what pro golfers and poker players have on the line.

That said, I think a High Stakes format where any two given players match up for big money (greater than 6 figures) would bring a new dimension to televised pool and a potential new audience. Instead of two pros going at it, anybody can, as long as they put up the cash. To make things fair, they players would have to "match up" of course, deciding on a spot, but that's part of the appeal. If they're playing 9 ball, it'd be interesting to see a wealthy amateur getting a huge spot and seeing if the pro can out run it.

You can also invite many poker players to the show, as many of them played pool before turning to poker. A lot of cool possibilities. Nick Schulman (who was once regarded as the best teenaged player in NY) matching up with our friend Ziigmund (who was a Junior Finnish champion).

Just an idea I'm throwing out there.

if it was 9 ball, absolutely.

Would really like to watch this

9 ball only, all other pool is boring imo

Me? Of course, because I love and understand pool. But the public? Jesus it's hopeless and boring for them.

Why would a wealthy amateur try to play in a game of serious skill against a top pro?

People love poker because every hand and every donk can win.

I myself would like to see pool/billiards gain the kind of notoriety it does in Europe and Asia.
I think a team format is probably a more interesting and popular concept.. Like US vs Canada or Taiwan or the Phillipines. Or regional teams ie NY vs Boston etc. The problem with heads up matches is that too much funny business has been going on between players and public has become suspect of that

a double-give up system like in backgammon would be cool

yes

I honestly would rather watch High Stakes Mahjong.

High Stakes Pool would need to consist of trick-shot prop bets to be appealling to me tbh. Otherwise, if I wanted to watch pool, I'd watch tournament pool.

Happens all the time. This is where the negotiation of the spot comes in. Here's a brief story of where Amarillo Slim matched up with Efren Reyes playing one pocket:

Three years ago, legendary gambler and professional poker player T.A. Preston Jr., a.k.a. "Amarillo Slim," was in a Dallas pool hall. Slim didn't play much anymore. He was just watching, until a matchmaker told him Reyes would spot him 15-5 in one pocket, best of seven: each player could use one pocket on the table, and Reyes was claiming that in each game he'd sink 15 balls before Slim sank five. "I don't think that person lives," Slim said, taking the bet. He lost, returning the next day with "enough $100 bills to burn down the block." He lost again. He says he left $200,000 with Reyes and his backers. The next week, in California, "He wound up playing me 17-5. At 17-5, I beat him," Slim says (they ended even). "He's a great money player. I never saw him rattled, never saw him harass his opponent. Every time we played, he was a perfect gentleman. And every time, he did things I've never seen anyone do before."

http://www.time.com/time/arts/articl...8599-2,00.html

If they played even, Slim would be drawing dead, but via the spot, they found a game that was a decent match up (but like any savvy gambler, both believed themselves to have an edge).

If people are skeptical of shady poker players just wait and see what happens in big money pool. That is one of the biggest problems. There are more broke pool players than ones with gas money. I wouldn't back my brother in a pool game.

I think it would be a cool idea for pool players, but Im unsure of the benefit it will have to attract new audiences. For example, My missus doesnt care if she watches a 1c/2c game full of noobs or HSP with the best players in the world, it bores her just the same.

But I could be wrong, pool (i think) is viewed differently in the US than it is over here

Great story. If the show was in this format - Amateur vs Pro, big money, and a big spot. I would watch and watch intently.

I would love to see some high stakes pool action..

People talk about all these crazy handicaps Efren Reyes gives out in various forms of the sport, I'd love to be able to watch that. Plus so many of the top hustlers hardly play tournaments.

Also OP is right, there is hardly any money in tournament pool. The biggest tourney they had (World 9 ball championship) didn't happen last year, and they had another high profile tour go bust before it even caught on because it was run by shady individuals(IPT).

So now we see top players competing for 25K and it just ain't that exciting. Seeing some big money matches on TV might be interesting.

high stakes golf on the pool table

6---------------------------1
- S -
- -
- R R R -
- ===============
- -
- -
- R -
- -
- -
5 R 2
- -
- -
- R -
- -
- O -
4===============3

R= red object balls, one shot penalty if hit before the Object ball.

S= Shooter/club, usually played with snooker balls

O= Object Ball/Golf Ball, usually played with a snooker ball


The players lag for honor.

The first player places S inside the D and shoots into O trying to make it into 1. Plays until finished. Sewers count like water in golf, retee and shoot from the D.
Player 1 S ball stays where it lands after making it into hole 1.

REPEAT FOR REST OF PLAYERS.

Low score wins the hole.

3 times around the table.

Low score or match play.

no high stakes pool will be complete without Mr Efren Reyes, he's definately the man to beat when it comes to big money pool. 8ball,9ball, 10ball, one pocket,straight pool,rotation, you name it he plays it. Just wondering if he plays bank pool too.

I would watch it.

But the general public? Forget it. Everything but 9-ball has disappeared from U.S. TV, and I don't think even that is pulling in very good ratings.

The problem is that only a tiny number of players are good enough to really compete at the highest levels of each game, and the various handicapping methods are too complicated/weird to appeal to anyone but an enthusiast.

As far as applehead amateurs vs. top pros, you'd end up with ridiculous spots like the 2-out for 9-ball, or 25-4 one-pocket, or 12-1 in games in 8-ball, and who wants to see that?