OK Try this one?

Question

I f you had your own pool magazine .what would be the most important subject -features -just what would like to see

Answer 1

Maybe not most important but a regional spread on local heroes would be fun. There are a lot of great and I mean really great players out there that almost no one has ever heard of. Also a local hangout section with reviews on local room would be awesome especially if written by a pro or real deal road player.

Luck

K

Answer 2

I'd like to see a good-sized section of the magazine with postings for tournaments all over the country categorized by state.  I'm talking about open local events, amateur, semi-pro, and pro. exhibitions, etc.  I never get to see any good pool up close unless I'm playing in the event myself.

I'm not sure that I'd ever want to own my own pool magazine.  I don't mind reading about tips, but I get enough instruction from the two BCA Master Instructors that I work with.  I know that sounds really cocky, so I apologize.  So much of pool magazines is devoted to coverage of the pros.  That's all well and good, but it gets to be a little much.

Furthermore, so many pool writers have the biggest egos I've ever seen.  If it isn't Tom Ross throwing his politics into every article he writes, it's that Colorodo State P.h.D David something-or-other trying to make your brain explode with advanced physics and geometry lessons which have almost no real bearing on a real-life pool table in the real world.  To be fair, some of his high-speed videos are cool to look at, but it's physically painful to actually watch the good Doctor awkwardly try to demonstrate the shots himself.  I'm not saying that his science is necessarily wrong, but the vast majority of what he focuses on can only be seen to any noticeable degree in a scientific laboratory in a vacuum.  Well we don't play pool in a vacuum.  MIke Sigel is one of the few pro players out there to acknowledge that "throw" doesn't really exist to any noticeable degree.  Spin does not transfer from one ball to another.

I know I'm getting off on a tangent here, but there comes a point when a pool player needs to decide whether or not they want to play pool or study pool.  Taking lessons, working on your stroke mechanics, doing drills, etc., are all ways that we learn to play pool.  Plotting vectors, tradjectories, mathematical formulas, and diagrams are just ways that some people strive to over-intellectualize the game.  You can show me a person who can diagram the path of a cue ball and explain the formula behind it and I'll show you a person who couldn't win a match to save their life.

So there's some good stuff in pool magazines and some bad stuff.  At this point, I have to humility to admit that I don't think I could do any better myself.  Maybe years down the road, but now I'd rather stay focused on teaching and trying to improve my own game.  Good question, Johnny.  M.D.-BCA Instructor/Referee.

Answer 3

more senior info

Answer 4

hey johnny ! i think for a pool magazine a common thing that people look at and worry bout is their stance. where is my feet at? r they in the correct angle? am i keeping my head down ? how do i know if i am ?  a lot of new players are constantly looking for ways to improve their game wich u know !!! everyone has their own stance but main thing is for everyone to get in to the basics of pool ! it is getting harder and harder to find players now days to compare to some of the great's like willie and eddie !!!! but yea tis is a good ? if u decide to come out with a magazine please let me know i would be intrested . also another good one is to put in therr..... mental tips ! people allways ask me almost everyday.... how do u stay so focused ? it is all a mind game !!!! u know as good as i do you may not be able to miss a ball but as soon as a model or a pro walks in the door ur whole world changed . now u cant even run 3 balls and u keep miscuing and standing up b 4 u even stroke the cue ball !!!!!!! good luck johnny hope to hear from ya soon

Answer 5

Don't really get into the results so much as I do the "tips"...would want a little more instruction by someone able to "depict" the shot in my mind....never really get too much into the stories....but do enjoy the insight into the lives of the pros and how they got where they are at.....little results....some "human interest" stories on the pros and lots of tips and instruction....than would be my magazine!

Answer 6

Johnny,

I hope you`re actually planning on doing one!

I know I`d buy it.

THE number one thing I`d like to see in it, is your GREAT sense of humor.

You see the humor in almost Everything and would Defintely keep the reader`s interest in almost article you write.

Most pool magazines I`ve tried to read are written like technical manuals.

To paraphrase Straight,

Who Gives a rat`s behind about the physics of the game?

Novices (and even some of the Better shooters) where I hang out wanna see Hoppe`s Diamond System explained or things like ....if the cue ball is at diamond inset one on both sides of a corner pocket, shoot the cb at the Cushion in FRONT of the middle inset at the opposite long rail to bank the ball into the side.... (Physics "geniuses" will have you shoot AT the inset).

Also, how many people you seen shoot a "Duck" straight in?

You KNOW what`s gonna follow it (:>

Most of `em I`ve questioned afterward admit hitting the bank on either side first Never crossed their mind.

Course tips and tricks, like this simple one (NOT so simple to some) you`ve learned over the years would probably fill the whole mag but a few now and then would certainly help a Bunch of people improve their stick.

Last but Certainly not the leastest, (c**p! I`m beginning to write like you (:>

I`d like to see your take on people you`ve played in your illustrious (That`s better) career.

The famous and Not so famous. The funny and Not so funny endings.

Where are they now?

Good Luck with it Johnny!

You lookin` for backers or have you got it covered?

RT

Answer 7

It wouldn't be a feature, but I'd like to see some quality short fiction.  I don't read pool magazines often, but when I do, I'm not usually very impressed with the writing. I started reading a memoir in one of them, maybe Billiards Digest, but I got bored and didn't finish. They say pretty much anyone can write an article that's good enough to be edited and printed, but that's not the case with fiction...it's out there, maybe not typed up yet, but someone's got it.  I want to see it.

What doesn't? :)  Oh yeah...laundry.

Answer 8

We had such a monthly review here several years ago called "Ball in Hand" from "On the Wire Publications". It featured articles and stories on local talent. There were several of us that focused on where local events were taking place, the results, the winners and runners up, a list of all players' skill-levels... just about anything and everything that was going on in the St. Louis and surrounding areas.

If a player entered a tournament at "The Break" in Cahokia, Illinois, and had never been there before, his skill-level would be in the monthly verifying what he was, a '7', '10', '12', whatever. All locations respected this. It gave local players a little respectability, notoriety if you will, and basically their 15-minutes of fame.

All bars and billiard rooms advertized of their weekly and monthly "what's happening" with dates and all information letting readers know  info of up and coming events.