How Much Money Can You Make With a Pool Table Business?

One of them is Collins Kipngeno, better known online as Champion Collo, who runs a pool table business and has turned a common hangout game into a steady hustle.

We caught up with him to learn how the business works, what it takes to get started, and most importantly, how much money you can make with a pool table.

Prefer to watch the video? Catch it here.

“Naitwa Collins Kipngeno, famously online ama mtandao Champion Collo. Nafanya ii mambo na pool,” he says, standing next to his tables.

According to Collins, the business model is straightforward: “Wateja ama wachezaji wanakujaga wanacheza game. Ni mimi nawafungulia.”

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To start, you need a good location and at least one pool table — either second-hand or brand new:

“Ndio uanze hii kazi ya pool, first unataka location yenye unaeka hizo pools. Number 2, unatafuta pool za kununua either second hand ama brand new. Which is eh, ni pesa mingi kidogo”

Probed on how much you should pay for a new or second-hand pool table, Collins says:

“50k to 70k second hand, na for a new one, unaeza nunua 70k to 100k.”

According to Collins, the pool business starts sluggish on Monday, gathers pace mid-week, and hits full swing once the weekend rolls in:

“Most inashika lini? At least on a weekend, because kila mtu anajua kesho siendi job. Anakuja anajienjoy, until late hours. Mostly inaeza fika hata 12.00 am.”

Nudged to give us an estimate of how much he makes, he says:

“On a good day, naeza make KSh 1000 to KSh 1500. A bad day naeza sema ni Monday because kila mtu ameamkia kazi. So maybe ksh 500 to ksh 1000.”

That’s per table, and Collins currently has four. That means on a strong weekend, he could make up to KSh 6,000 a day from all four tables combined—a solid return for a small, low-maintenance setup.

“It’s something simple”, according to Collins. But that doesn’t mean it’s effortless.

“Daily basis on a pool table unaamka unakuja kufanya usafi.”

Because his setup is outdoors, dust is an everyday reality. “We’re in an open area, so vumbi mingi zinakujaga. So nakuja nai-fagia fagia.”

He calls it simple work, but it’s also the kind of routine that separates a smooth operation from a chaotic one.

Every morning clean-up sets the tone for the rest of the day, ensuring the tables are ready when players start trickling in.

Unlike most businesses that open early, pool tables come alive in the afternoon:

“Mostly, mi ufungua afternoon hours because most of the time huwezi pata watu wanakuja kucheza morning hours. Mtu labda ameenda shughli yake, so afternoon ndio anakuja kuenjoy kidogo.”

It’s a laid-back routine, but it’s that quiet consistency that keeps the business alive day after day.

Like most small hustles in Kenya, the pool table business has its fair share of wins and struggles. Collins says the biggest challenge is the weather.

Another everyday struggle is competition: “Unajua wengine wakiwa, mna compete for the customers.” In most neighbourhoods, several pool operators set up close to each other, which means every customer counts.

Then there’s maintenance — cue sticks break, balls wear out, and repairs eat into profits. “Major challenge challenge hapa may hizi ma-cue sticks zivunjike ama mpira ziharibike.”

But even with the challenges, he says the rewards go beyond money.

Beyond the income, the business gives him a sense of community — a space where conversations, laughter, and small wins happen every day.

A lot of people running similar businesses to Collins face harassment from kanjos and cops. So naturally, we were curious to learn whether he’s faced this challenge — and if so, how he handles it.

According to Collins, you only get harassed if you don’t have proper licensing.

It’s yet another reminder that staying compliant — even for a small hustle — goes a long way in keeping peace with authorities.

So ka unadai kufungua biz ka ya Collo (or any other biz for that matter), make sure ume-chukua licences.

Here’s everything you need to know about business permits in Kenya: Your Ultimate Guide to Business Permits in Kenya