The video discusses the sport of pool, which despite being around for 600 years, still struggles with its identity crisis. The sport's name comes from pooling money to determine odds and wagering. Pool is often associated with hustling and gambling, but this is as much a curse as a blessing. The sport thrives in the shadows, in bars and basements, but struggles to gain recognition as a proper professional sport on TV.
The video then introduces Shane Van Boning, a deaf American player who is considered one of the best in the world. Despite having no interest in gambling, Van Boning has managed to excel in the sport and even win the US Open five times. He uses his hearing aids as a significant advantage in his game, allowing him to shut out distractions and focus on the task at hand.
The video also highlights the split personality of pool, with professional tournaments taking place in upscale venues and unofficial, high-stakes games happening in action-packed rooms. Despite its popularity, pool remains a deceptively tricky sport that is not as lucrative as it could be.
The video concludes with a discussion about the future of pool. Emily Fraser, a British sports promoter, is working to revamp the sport in the UK, turning professional players into celebrities and securing big corporate sponsors. This could potentially transform pool into a professional sport in the UK and other parts of the world. However, there are still challenges to overcome, such as the need for more events, increased prize money, and the creation of a new generation of elite players. Despite these challenges, the video ends on an optimistic note, with a focus on the pure, simple thrill that pool provides.
1. Pool is a 600-year-old sport with a rich history and identity crisis. It's often associated with gambling and wagering, but this is only one aspect of the sport .
2. The sport's name comes from pooling money to determine odds and wagering. This aspect of the sport, known as "lens pool," is often seen as both a curse and a blessing .
3. Shane Van Boning, arguably the best American player ever to break a rack, is ranked number one in the world for 2022. He is also deaf, which has been both a challenge and an advantage in his game .
4. Van Boning spends 300 days a year on the road playing professional pool. He competes in various tournaments, including the Derby City Classic held every January outside Louisville .
5. Van Boning has won the US Open five times and has been named player of the decade. Despite being deaf since birth, he wears hearing aids and shuts down any question about his hearing impairment .
6. Van Boning's game involves seeing every angle on the table and practicing as much as 10 hours a day. He aims to make the shot perfect by doing it over and over again .
7. Van Boning's journey in the sport began when he and his uncle hit the road in an RV, looking for money games to play pool. However, he eventually decided to go legit and began playing and winning proper tournaments .
8. The professional pool tour struggles to draw much interest or investment outside of pool diehards. Top players, such as Van Boning, can make only six figures, which often covers expenses .
9. Emily Fraser, of the British sports promoter Matchroom, is tasked with revamping professional pool in the UK. She aims to turn top players into celebrities and secure big media deals and corporate sponsors .
10. The state of professional pool today is described as a "mess." Fraser has asked Pro players to dress the part but won't ask them to give up their side hustles .
11. The first-ever US Open in 2019 had players showing up in jeans, which was a departure from the usual professional attire. Fraser has since asked Pro players to dress the part .
12. The health of the sport also depends on minting a new generation of elite players. The US Open has a junior division held alongside the pros, to nurture future Pros .
13. Despite the sport's challenges, it provides a pure, simple thrill. The future of the sport looks promising .