Still on cue

Billiard tables, cue sticks and balls surrounded much of the childhood of Gutson Billiards Bar founder Francis Gutierrez. He was three years in 1964 when his father began making billiard tables, cue sticks and other billiards-related products.

It was, therefore, no surprise that when Gutierrez decided to go into business on his own during his junior year at UP Diliman, it would have something to do with billiards.

With P30,000 given by his father, he opened a four-table billiard hall.

"Back then, billiard halls were patronized by men in sandos (sleeveless inner vest) and slippers and with towels hanging from their shoulders. It was a small business that catered to those who wanted to play and drink at the street corner," he said.

Gutierrez has since put a twist on that. The oldest of Gutson’s five outlets has 18 billiard tables, a huge bar and a mini restaurant. Clients range from students in uniforms to businessmen in coat and tie who like to play billiards and/or to dine out.

"We have always maintained a wholesome environment. Rowdy behavior and gambling are not allowed. That rule holds even in movie scenes shot at Gutson’s. There are no violent or destructive scenes shot here," said Gutierrez. (To protect its image, Gutson’s is not even included in the film credits).

Short-lived

Gutson’s concept of billiards as fun and upscale spread all over Metro Manila.

"Some prospective billiard operators were so thick-faced that they went to my place, measured the height of the tables and the distance between tables. They even copied the menu," said Gutierrez.

The billiard craze peaked in 1999 when Efren Reyes became a world famous name in billiards. One downside to the billiard craze was the price war that ensued. Gimmicks such as the use of sexy girls as spotters were also introduced to draw in customers.

"At the peak of the billiard craze, operators were importing tables from Korea at P60,000 to P70,000 a table. When the fad died, they disposed their tables for as low as P10,000," said Gutierrez.

Investment

Today, an initial investment of P500,000 is needed to put up a two-table street corner hall operation. The biggest expense is leasing a place. Most lessors require a six-month deposit and six months in advance rentals.

A billiard table can be bought for between P30,000 to P70,000, with locally-made tables using Italian slate on the higher end. "Italian slate tables are more durable and at par with world standards for billiard tables," said Gutierrez.

A set of balls costs P3,5000.

Reclothing the table costs P1,000 a table. The cost of repairing cue sticks is between P20 and P50 for the ordinary sticks and between P100 and P120 for the special sticks. Each table has at least six cue sticks. The cost of replacing a cue ring is P100.

"In the last three years, many of competitors–the bigger billiard halls– have closed even when they dived their table rentals below our P140 per hour rate," said Gutierrez. At the end of the working day, which is at one in the morning, knowing the business in and out is a major plus.