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How Many of You...
- By jasonlaus
- Main Forum
- 42 Replies
I carry a sledgehammer in the car, no way a table is robbing me 
Super Billiards Expo 2026
- By jasonlaus
- Main Forum
- 97 Replies
If you're a "pro" tournament player doesn't that mean travel is a necessary part of your job?Thanks for sharing your perspective on Mosconi Cup hopefuls and the idea of “numerous contenders.” I see it a bit differently, and that’s okay. We don’t have to agree on everything.
I don’t believe the majority of Americans in this event are truly chasing the Cup for ranking points. I understand you’ve been a strong supporter of the Matchroom and WNT over the years. I used to be as well. But when I started to notice what I felt was favoritism, it took some of the shine off for me. And then there was the WNT Filler prohibition, which I won't go into. You and I do agree on an aspect of the aftermath.
Even with increased prize money in U.S.-based WNT events, I’m not convinced it’s enough. A $40,000 first-place prize today doesn’t go nearly as far as it once did. Honestly, it feels comparable to $10,000 back in the ’80s. Meanwhile, the cost of living of hotels, airfare, gas, and just surviving on the road has skyrocketed. Living out of a suitcase isn’t cheap, and unless you’ve truly lived that grind, worrying about how to pay bills back home, not able to hold a full-time job due because of constant travel, going without health insurance, and sacrificing stability just to chase ranking points, it’s easy to underestimate how difficult it really is, especially for those fortunate enough to be looking at it from the comfort of an ivory tower.
Sponsorships in the U.S. often don’t provide real financial support either. Many players receive product instead of cash, which is why you see them selling and/or auctioning cues and equipment online to raise funds for expenses, and those sponsors only give product to top pros, not aspiring pros who pay their own way while keeping their bills up to date back home. And on top of all that, they still have to compete against the best players in the world, whether at home or abroad.
I could go on, just like you have, but I’ll leave it at this. We’ll have to agree to disagree on some topics.
Just get a job and be done with it if you can't afford it. I'd love to play poker full-time but I'd be living in my car and robbing car washes/laundromats to survive. So, I have a full-time job, it's really that simple.
Making $18,000/year as a pro player seems like a good way to end up destitute
