How do pool halls normally charge on their hourly rates?

Question

My husband, our friend and I went to a local pool hall tonight, and they charge 3.75 an hour per person playing. We only play two at a time but tonight they charged us 3.75/hr times three. We asked them why, when there were only 2 people playing at one time. Their response was they cant watch what every table is doing so they just charge by the number of people who are at the table (there are four tables), and said that is something that every pool hall does. I dont agree with that and was just wanting to know is that really something that every or most pool halls do?

Answer 1

I've played at halls like that.  They usually ask up front how many people are going to be playing.  I personally don't like it done that way, I'm more of a flat hour rate guy.  Plus if you have 4 playing, and 1 leaves, you have to let them know. and yadda yadda.  Flat rate, way to go.

Answer 2

The place I play charges by the hour for the table (4.80) but also charges an entry fee per person(2.00). 2 people for 1 hour is 8.80 2 hours is 13.60 as opposed to the 7.50 and 15.00 you would pay. for 3 people it would be 10.80 and 15.60 compared to your 11.25 and 22.50. I pay pounds though rather than dollars so it isn't as simple as the straight comparison I have given, but not too far off.

You sohuld be paying to rent the table not on how many people are using it. I can think of no other situation where you get charged for how many people are using something.

It works out better for the person in to practice by themselves but I don't like it, smacks of being a bit of a rip off.  

Answer 3

Most pool halls who charge for every person their, must be going out of business.  Although most pool halls will bait and switch as you experienced, a reputable hall will charge a flat rate for the table(not the players). as no more space is usually necessary.

Answer 4

Most do .You can ask for a flat rate all they can say is yes or no

Answer 5

Hi Jen,

Sadly but true, yes. Most pool halls DO charge per person by the hour. They'll usually charge up to four persons. This has become the norm for the majority of pool halls, especially on nights and weekends.

I too used to play in a huge and very reputable pool hall. The place was always packed at night. It was impossible for them to keep tabs on how many players were playing on one table at any given time. This same pool hall had a great deal/price for "morning players" :  Free pool, from 6:00 AM til' 11:00 AM. This was the time that the pool hall was the quietest and the more serious players played pool.

If you can play with your husband and friends during the day, you might want to check with your favorite pool hall (or other pool halls) and see if they run any specials for certain hours/times of play.

Glad you're out there having fun and shooting pool -

LAG

Answer 6

Yep, that's typical. It sucks because the more people you have, the crappier a deal it becomes. If you're playing by yourself or with one other person, the price is good compared to coin-op tables, but if you have 3 or more people, it really sucks. In the future, I'd recommend asking for two tables. You're paying the same amount either way, so you might as well have the extra table for the third (and fourth if you have more people) person to mess around on while waiting for you to finish your game.