Poolingideas

From poor man's snooker to a popular game, pool's image is being transformed. But Adrian Tierney-Jones says pubs need to ensure their tables are in top condition

Along with a decent pint, good food and convivial atmosphere, a pool table is a must-have for any licensee who wants to encourage more drinkers to frequent their bar. Pool is an easy game to play, appealing to a large number of customers. It's a great social lubricant for those who walk into a strange pub, and providing the table can be seen from the bar, contact with licensing authorities isn't an issue. Pool even has a cool image.

Now pool is following its quieter cousin, snooker, onto the TV screen. Last year, the final of the Pub Pool Challenge ended up on Sky, with winner Frankie Sargent potting himself a cool £50,000. Sargent's win also meant a welcome £1,000 for June Lamb, at whose Kent pub - the Ocean Inn in Dymchurch - he is a local.

The days of plonking a tatty table in a dingy room and hoping that drinkers will take their cue from this effort are gone. Pool is an increasingly popular sport and pubs that look after their players report a good return from investing in a new table.

"Pool is throwing off its image as a bad form of snooker," says Martin Marks an independent TV producer promoting and developing Pub Pool Challenge 2007. "More and more people are playing and a younger crowd is taking it up. TV presentation helps. We think TV pool players should be shown in a similar way to darts players - the noise, the audience and the tension are all part of the atmosphere, rather than the silence you get with snooker."

Attracting unseasonal trade

A game of pool is one of the few things the majority of pub-goers cannot have at home.

People can stay in and drink beer from the supermarket, experience a huge range of films on cinema-quality screens - and with the advent of smoking bans, smokers are gradually finding public facilities becoming more limited. But few people have their own pool table.

"Pool is very much a pub game," says Marks. "We estimate that about 40,000 pubs and clubs have their own tables. It's very attractive as it's an easy game to play, while snooker can feel quite difficult."

Pool is largely a game that appeals to young males - a fact that should help a pub with its wet sales.

"Pool is a game youngsters can relate to, especially as fewer people play darts these days," says John Rickard, who runs the Blue Anchor Inn at Fraddon, Cornwall.

At the Blue Anchor the pool table shares an L-shaped bar with a TV, fruit machine, darts and a juke box. "We only have one table but it's used all the time. A great deal of our trade is seasonal, so pool helps us keep our local trade through the winter - over 50% of our regulars play. It's a poor man's snooker. Here, you can put down your 50p and away you go - you don't have to go to a club and join before you can play."

June Lamb agrees about pool's positive role in maintaining business during quiet times.

"We're a seaside village pub and in summer plenty of holidaymakers bring in trade. Trade dies off in the winter, and the locals keep it going. So pool is an important feature for us, especially then when we have games twice a week, which bring in a definite income."

Marks says that despite pool's popularity, pubs can't simply open their doors and expect tables to be used without making an effort: "Pool players are discerning, so if a pub is to attract players there needs to be decent cloth on the table, good lighting and cues with tips on the ends. Cues with missing tips are awful. Pubs that offer good pool facilities draw the players - and of course they all enjoy a drink."

Quality standards

Having a good-quality pool table and equipment are essential if a pub is to attract regular players.

The Ocean Inn's pool-team captain comes in once a week to iron the table, while the landlady keeps it brushed and replaces the green baize every year.

At the Nelson in Horsham, West Sussex, licensee Maureen Renno is surprised at the lengths to which her pub's players will go.

"They're a bit obsessive," she says. "Some people play every day. They even have special balls for the table when a match is being played. Normal balls are kept on the table for everyday use, but when there is a match I have two special boxes of balls, which are cleaned and looked after."

"It's vital to take care of it all by maintaining the cues and installing proper lighting," agrees Rickard.

"We have speed-pool baize which helps balls move faster. Naturally, all the licensees provide food for players on the night of a league or tournament match. Some also organise pool nights with free tables," he says.

Pubs can rent tables, usually from gaming-machine suppliers or buy them outright, as Rickard does. With the price for a pool table ranging from £500 up to £1,500, it is a good investment, which Rickard soon recouped:

"I recommend investing in a pool table if there's enough space, but it doesn't work if the pub is too cramped," he says.

And Renno sounds another cautionary note: "Before installing a table, consider your pub and ask your customers if they would play pool - it's no good in a food-oriented pub."

• For more details on the Pub Pool Challenge visit www.pubpoolchallenge.co.uk or call 0870 167 0731.

Tips for scoring more players

1 Look after the table and word will reach keen pool players

2 Organise regular competitions and tournaments

3 Look after players and they will stay loyal to your pub

4 Promote the pool table with boards and signs outside

5 Offer free table nights and in-house competitions

How to enter The Nuts Pub Pool Challenge 2007

With a winning prize of £50,000, this

national singles, knock-out tournament is the UK's biggest 8ball pool event.

For pubs there is an added incentive to encourage customers to take part as the winner's licensee will also get a cheque for £1,000 and the chance to win a new pool table. Every match in the tournament is just one frame long making it possible for anyone to win - professional or amateur.

Entry is open to all pubs between now and January with qualifying rounds taking place between February and April 2007.

Each entry costs £23.50 or three entries for £47 and venues can buy as many entries as they like. This week's issue includes a special two for one entry offer.

All participating venues will receive

tournament details, posters, window

stickers, draw sheets and a pack of

competition-branded chalk. They will also be given entry into a draw for a new pool table.