Topic: Which Table To Purchase

[bbtuna]

ed,

I don't agree...the material of the man, the shape of the foot, the type of ridges, if any, on the foot, the ball material (density, weight, etc within tolerences), the table playsurface material, the wall material, the bearing types, rod diameter, weight, and rod material are enough to allow for unique play characteristics...the ball, man, and play surface is 70%-80% of the current table characteristics and then each table seems to have some build characteristic that is odd...like the Telescoping rods on Bonzini and Roberto Sport or Garlando's very large strip and ramps

but when you play you don't have to face a different size play surface and goal...specific standards on these, like Tennis, Football, Basketball, Soccer, etc

all tennis matches are played on the same size feild although the field surfaces are much different but the net is the same height then their is the ball which has to be strick tolerences and then the racket and the rackets have tolerences too but the variety of how they are made makes a big difference in play...I see this like this

[Alan Cribbs]

Good advice from AT.

Fortunately when I talked to the owner I may have convinced him not to purchase tables right off the bat. Vendors/ operators can lock in a location with a contract that will hurt there business. My suggestion was to install 2 tables on a temporary basis to see if they produce and have potential to grow a player base. Furthermore, it allows the location to see if the table provider backs their position of helping create a new player base with follow-up tournament promotions.

Regardless of tour size, the locations success in terms of "foosball" lies on the development of a new player base that helps the location generate income. The numbers mean nothing unless they visit your location and spend $$$$. Having multiple styles of tables at a location means nothing unless the location or player group is willing to involve both in their development.

The layout of the location looks fantastic and has great potential in hosting larger events. We look forward to working with Gate City Billiards in making this happen.

Alan

[alaskan thunder]

I agree that the numbers mean nothing if no one visits, but as far as generating income, I would argue that existing player base has as much or more to do with success as do new players. Existing player base is going to provide the framework for new players to learn and improve. I was merely telling the guy who has no experience with foos where his best option for finding existing players was. New players are not picky about what tables they play on and older players are. Tornado has a vastly larger pool of older players and this was what I based my statement on. In my experience, Tornado players are no less willing to teach new players than Bonzini players. New players are not going to be disinclined because a table is a certain style of play. They are going to play where they get a chance to play against and learn from the best players they can. In nearly every area of the country, this is more likely on a tornado than a bonzini.

Just my .02

[BruceNardoci]

One thing to keep in mind: While its true that Tornado has a much larger player base throughout the USA, that's not true in NC, and especially not true in the Greensboro area which has historically been one of the hotbeds for Bonzini style foosball since the early 1970's.

[dliebes]

Again, I want thank everyone for your input.  I plan to place one Tornado and one Bonzini (unless Alan is not willing to partner under that condition) before I add the third table, which will be the type that attracts the greatest interest. 

I am very impressed with Alan's knowledge and enthusiasm and he appears to have earned a great deal of respect throughout this community.  I look forward to working with him.

Thanks,

[EDGEER]

No, thank you sir!  While we here are avid about our sport we understand the economics of running a business.  I am 1000 miles away in Dallas, Texas but I have met Alan on several occaisions at our national tournaments.  I have also seen here on the web Alans success with his approach from the responce of others like you that have worked with him.   I wish you a very successful venture and again thanks for giving our sport a chance.

Edmund Geer

[bbtuna]

well said ED, i totally agree...good luck, if i was in the area, i would do what i could to help you...there are others who will do the same...just get to know them and see who are the good people you can trust ... i think it will be a short search

good luck, keep us informed on how it goes

[Ricky Hofer]

I would go with two tornado tables for the serious crowd, and one shelti for the new/beginner players.  Shelti is a great table to learn basics on, plus has some of the same high speed action of tornado. 

[Alan Cribbs]

Serious crowd?

It seems the Bonzini U.S.A. players are a serious crowd.
They pay their own expenses to compete internationally.
This was before it became fashionable for U.S. players to compete abroad.
They were the first to implement the ELO ranking system.
They work to get table sponsors at each and every event so the local charities benefit from their tournaments.
They are the ones invited to national and local trade shows to demonstrate foosball play for the crowds.

It's a very inclusive environment regardless of table preference. They are pretty serious players that take a serious approach to growing the game without taking themselves too serious while playing it.

Shelti is a great choice also for the beginners as you said.
We (Cribbs Inc.) are one of Shleti's foosball distributors also.

Later