Have you accepted the fact that you are a pool player for life?

DeadPoked said:
Like the thread title indicated... Have you accepted this fact that you will play pool for the rest of you life? Are you perfectly content that you are pool player and will be for life?

I am 25 years old and I have been playing pool seriously for around 6 years. Sometimes I wonder if it would be best if I gave up playing pool seriously and concentrate on other things in life. I am not sure if 25 years from now, the idea I'll still be playing pool competitively, is a positive one.

I'd like to hear some stories from the more "seasoned" crowd on what they think of their lives having pool be such a major factor in it. Do you ever wish you had take a different path in life? Concentrated more on other things?

I'd also like to hear from anyone that have had similar thoughts as I've had.

Edit: I didn't exactly mean earning a living at pool. I am talking about the entire pool playing life style; Tournaments, Gambling, Leagues, etc.

But stories of those who are making some kind of living off of pool are most welcome.
Click to expand...

You started a very interesting thread and pose a unique questions DP.

I have had some other special interests which devoured huge amounts of free time. One of them was fishing and the other hunting. Pool has always been a part of my life and it has been a mixed bag as far as satisfaction is concerned.

Any hobby that consumes huge amounts of time will become an obstacle for your family. Balance is the key to practically everything.

My journey isn't over yet and I think that while I might wish that I had learned to play pool at an earlier age (I mean playing pool, well) I have no regrets traveling the path that I chose. Pool has always been just a hobby and a way for me to escape into another world. Pool has given me a satisfaction that no other world has been able to offer me. It is something that I can do at a moment's notice and something that I can stop in an instant. The Pool Dimension is a separate place in my life and I can move back and forth between it and making a living, having a family and just living a life. The only danger in pool is thinking that you can make a living playing pool. That is why I purposefully led my own son away from pool and while he likes pool and enjoys my passion for it and supports me in it, he has been blessed to not have the addiction that many of us share. There are worse things to be addicted to.

No, I don't have any regrets...........
(Well, maybe just one: Having missed the chance to slice up the GingerBread Man at DCC.) :D :D
JoeyA
 
I am a pool player for life.

I've been at this long enough to fit Sunny's description... (grey and walking around the table) :p

I survive financially on pool in many ways.

Private Instruction
Instructional Seminars
Playing
Books
Sponsorship

Believe it or not, my efforts don't receive the support that many believe. Sometimes it is very difficult, but from those tough times, I have learned the greatest lessons.

My sole income is from POOL.

It has not always been an easy road, and I cannot remember a time when anyone in my immediate family supported me in my endeavors - AT ALL. I was always told that it was a waste of time. My mother still believes that I should write children's books.

:rolleyes:

I've been through 3 marriages. None of them ended as a result of my involvement in the game of pool. They didn't end because of gambling debts. They didn't end because I was screwing around with female pool players. Imagine that. I don't fit into any of the stereotypes.

I can't see anything else that I would be qualified to do more than pool.

I did the "job" thing. It worked for a while. I joined teh police force in El Paso, Texas - mainly because I needed health insurance for teh family and a steady line of income. Within months, I realized that as a police officer ... I was a much better pool player.

I opened my first pool hall in 1992 and it failed. It failed because I thought I knew what I was doing. My education and knowledge stemmed from being in pool halls for 20 years. I knew nothing about running a business. I would open up at 11 in the morning and shoot pool all day on one of my tables. Hard to pay the bills when that is your primary concern. The doors closed in less than a year, but I played real well that year.

:)

I educated myself. Business and psychology. I couldn't find work with either of them so I did what any other pool player would do...

I opened another pool hall. lol .. What the hell, I needed a place to play.

:p

I left the police department in 1999 - that decision had nothing to do with pool at all. I've lived in a few different places over the years... mostly Florida and Texas - I prefer Florida for the pool only - in my heart, Texas is home... but as a player I need to be where the best players are.

I know what its like to be out on the road - broke - out of gas at a rest area while I am swatting mosquitoes in the back seat of my car as I realize that I just finished the last piece of bread with my one-slice peanut butter sandwich.

I know what its like to go from the back seat of my car to closest pool hall -grabbing a house cue off the wall - and saying a prayer that I win the first set against some guy I had never seen before.

I also know what its like to play the best players in the world and to accurately rate myself against their greatness. I know what its like to win against them, and I know what its like to get drilled. I also know that neither of those outcomes are the same all of the time, no matter what their name is or how magnificent their resume may be.

I've got a lifetime of memories. I have a life time of experiences. Today I look back upon the good and the bad times, and I see a rocky road, but a road that many people wouldn't have the balls to walk down if given the chance.

I'll never get rich playing pool, selling my books, or teaching. But... my life is rich from the expereinces I have had, the people I have met, the lives I have touched, and the lives that have touched mine.

I wouldn't have it any other way. I may not have a lot to show for it, but I have a lot more than the guy that believed that they would never survive as a pool player. This life really is priceless, and I wouldn't trade places with anybody.

I love being a pool player.
 
Good Luck Wit Dat

Blackjack said:
I am a pool player for life.
I joined teh police force in El Paso, Texas - mainly because I needed health insurance for teh family......
I educated myself.
Click to expand...


Yes, and you did teh fine job.
Doug
:)




.
 
I'm a pool player for life, although currently I am in one of those spells where I could care less when I screw my cue together again. I'm 33 and started to play golf a year ago. I wish I was introduced to golf at a young age instead of pool. Not that pool wasn't or hasn't been good to me. I worked hard at it and got to the point where I played the game at a pretty high level, which was my initial goal -- to improve to such a level that I am happy with. Along the way I've met some lifelong friends, had some competitive moments in gambling and tournament play that I will never forget, and I used the positive cash flow to buy my fiance' and current wife her wedding ring and make a downpayment on the house we live in. I think my major issue with pool became that, once I reached that high level of play, it had to be a game that I gambled at. Practice, either by myself or with a practice partner, no longer bore fruit like it once did. Like most of you know, if you're going to find action you're going to find it at night, and I'm just not in a position where I can or want to stay out all night anymore. That being said, most of my golfing partners are/were pool players, also. So maybe every two weeks we play some one pocket or 10 ball, and so far it has been enough.
 
Blackjack said:
I am a pool player for life.

I've been at this long enough to fit Sunny's description... (grey and walking around the table) :p

I survive financially on pool in many ways.

Private Instruction
Instructional Seminars
Playing
Books
Sponsorship

Believe it or not, my efforts don't receive the support that many believe. Sometimes it is very difficult, but from those tough times, I have learned the greatest lessons.

My sole income is from POOL.

It has not always been an easy road, and I cannot remember a time when anyone in my immediate family supported me in my endeavors - AT ALL. I was always told that it was a waste of time. My mother still believes that I should write children's books.

:rolleyes:

I've been through 3 marriages. None of them ended as a result of my involvement in the game of pool. They didn't end because of gambling debts. They didn't end because I was screwing around with female pool players. Imagine that. I don't fit into any of the stereotypes.

I can't see anything else that I would be qualified to do more than pool.

I did the "job" thing. It worked for a while. I joined teh police force in El Paso, Texas - mainly because I needed health insurance for teh family and a steady line of income. Within months, I realized that as a police officer ... I was a much better pool player.

I opened my first pool hall in 1992 and it failed. It failed because I thought I knew what I was doing. My education and knowledge stemmed from being in pool halls for 20 years. I knew nothing about running a business. I would open up at 11 in the morning and shoot pool all day on one of my tables. Hard to pay the bills when that is your primary concern. The doors closed in less than a year, but I played real well that year.

:)

I educated myself. Business and psychology. I couldn't find work with either of them so I did what any other pool player would do...

I opened another pool hall. lol .. What the hell, I needed a place to play.

:p

I left the police department in 1999 - that decision had nothing to do with pool at all. I've lived in a few different places over the years... mostly Florida and Texas - I prefer Florida for the pool only - in my heart, Texas is home... but as a player I need to be where the best players are.

I know what its like to be out on the road - broke - out of gas at a rest area while I am swatting mosquitoes in the back seat of my car as I realize that I just finished the last piece of bread with my one-slice peanut butter sandwich.

I know what its like to go from the back seat of my car to closest pool hall -grabbing a house cue off the wall - and saying a prayer that I win the first set against some guy I had never seen before.

I also know what its like to play the best players in the world and to accurately rate myself against their greatness. I know what its like to win against them, and I know what its like to get drilled. I also know that neither of those outcomes are the same all of the time, no matter what their name is or how magnificent their resume may be.

I've got a lifetime of memories. I have a life time of experiences. Today I look back upon the good and the bad times, and I see a rocky road, but a road that many people wouldn't have the balls to walk down if given the chance.

I'll never get rich playing pool, selling my books, or teaching. But... my life is rich from the expereinces I have had, the people I have met, the lives I have touched, and the lives that have touched mine.

I wouldn't have it any other way. I may not have a lot to show for it, but I have a lot more than the guy that believed that they would never survive as a pool player. This life really is priceless, and I wouldn't trade places with anybody.

I love being a pool player.
Click to expand...
Great post,thx David.
 
With so many people in their 20s posting, I felt it was kinda important to reply to this. I'm 36, have been playing pool most of my life and I'm still on the up and up however, every day I'm aware that I may not be a pool player for life, no matter how I feel about it.

I see so many people quit this game for one reason or another. Whether it be health, money, job, kids or whatever, pool takes a backseat and they never fully return to the game. I'd like to be able to say this will never happen to me but I'm also fully aware that there is a good chance if I ever do step away from the game, it could easily be my choice.

My advice to my slightly younger pool brethren: Play now.
 
I'll play for life, sure.

Spending lots of time at the table is fine in my opinion as long as you take care of your business away from the table.

Are you happy with your family life?
Are you happy with your education, income, and working environment?
Are you happy with your freakishly wild sex life?
Are those you care about satisfied with you and the way you live?

If so, you're doing OK as far as I can tell.
 
DeadPoked said:
I'd love to hear your thoughts Ironman. From reading your post here on AZ, it's easy to see you've led a life rich in pool.

Thanks to everyone that has shared your stories. We are getting some great posts.
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Congrats on a very thought provoking thread Deadpoked.
When I was your age all I could think about was (1) pool (2) women
I cannot improve on the input you've allready gotten from some of the other senior members (JohnnyT, Jay, etc.) I might add there are worse things than being a pool addict, just try and keep your life priorities
in order. I have been blessed with 4 sons, a daughter, 12 grandkids,
and five great grandkids. All are doing fine ( and none of them ever
had to worry about "over-cutting the room rent".) They are my legacy,
not my skill (?) as a pool player.

Dick

P.S. What was the question..... oh, Hell yes, play 'til you drop!!!
By the way, drastic change in priorities, it's now (1)women(2)pool!
 
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I am 38 and might be the biggest pool addict on the planet. Not just the game but cues, players and all. I owned and played with nearly 300 cues and love nothing more than playing with a cue a few months or year and trade for something new just for the sake of it. Right now I am in kind of a stalling period until kids are a little older. At one point I quit the game and broke 4 shafts across my knee because the game didn't mesh with my first wife. My wife now knows its for life and enjoys playing as well as being around it. She won 4 handicapped tournaments in the last 2 years that kinda helped. It REALLY helps if your partner enjoys at least being around the pool scene. I had the chance to go on the road with Phil Bohanon around 90 when the McDermott tour was still going but wasn't ready for the uncertain income with car payments and such. I am hopeing in the next few years I can take the plunge for a few years and see if I can make it. I have thought about quiting a few times early on when I jumped into bad games and got pounded over and over. So many young players never have to bet their own money it seems like and dont remember what it is like to be flat broke waiting for friday just to do it again. I have played for 26 years now and will never quit. It is a tough road but I think I have the same thought process as Blackjack in that I may never be rich but have memories of going down the raod I wanted to go down. Sorry this turned into a book. Good luck and hang in there and dont expect help from family as it usually isnt there.

ROBERT
 
Hello, My name is John and I have an Addiction!

The first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem! Maybe now I can get help!

I hate this game at times, but have no plans on ever giving it up!
 
DeadPoked said:
...

I am 25 years old and I have been playing pool seriously for around 6 years. ....
Click to expand...
Funny coincidence I've been playing pool seriously for around 6 years, but I'm 62. Pool taking up too much space in my life isn't a problem, my kids are grown, my wife and I have settled in a nice routine (rut?), my career is what it is and won't be effected in the few working years I have left. You, on the other hand, have all those things yet in front of you. You've got to think about them all and decide if you want them, if you do then pool may have to take a backseat at times. It did for me until about 6 years ago because my kids were my number one priority. I didn't have the money to pursue pool seriously and support a wife, kids, house, car, etc. Maybe my wife could have worked and we'd have had more money, but we mutually felt it was better for the kids for her to be there (we were right as it turns out).
If there comes a point when you have to choose between serious pool and a family, I personally think a family will be more rewarding. That will be your choose to make if it comes up. Maybe you can balance both, I really don't know, only you know. If you have to choose between serious pool and a career, I say don't let pool interfer with your career.
I'm an old hand at life, though not pool. Though I wish I could have spent more time with pool younger, I don't regret running my life just the way I did. Btw, I have the consolation of knowing I'm getting better at pool everyday at the ripe old age of 62. :)
 
Originally Posted by Smorgass Bored
Yes, and you did teh fine job.
Doug
SJDinPHX said:
Smorgy, you don't miss a thing do you ? Will you be my editor?
Click to expand...


Not if it entails showing up everyday and regular hours.
Doug
( or wearing a TIE ) :)
 
Smorgass Bored said:
Originally Posted by Smorgass Bored
Yes, and you did teh fine job.
Doug



Not if it entails showing up everyday and regular hours.
Doug
( or wearing a TIE ) :)
Click to expand...

I could never, ever invision you with a tie on, it would be just so out of character. :)
 
I'm not an addict... I just bleed pool. I love the game and will play for the rest of my life without a single thought towards quitting. I couldn't imagine not playing pool. I don't bet and probably never will. I'm just going to play tournaments and keep improving until I can't improve any more... and hopefully by that point I will be the best :P
 
The first rule of a pool addiction is to not talk about the pool addiction.

The second rule of a pool addiction is to not talk about the pool addiction.

No really, pool to me is alot like being married. I have always loved my wife/marriage or pool and always will. However, sometimes I'm not "in love" with it. Not sure why, sometimes I just get bored I suppose. I never vear too far away and always find my way back.;)
 
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