Manny Chau cashes high at US Open 10-ball

Rack'em Wear

Rack'em Wear

www.rackemwear.com
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Manny Chau finishes 5th against the strongest players in the world, but he still plays in the amateur event at the Super Billiards Expo. If someone plays that strong (ie at pro speed) like Chau or Clatterbuck then they should not be considered amateurs. I don't care if they don't travel around making pool their job, it should be based upon the speed they play at.
 
I wonder what exactly constitutes a "pro" or not. Does someone forever lose their amateur status if they "go pro?"
 
A player is going to play wherever they let him play. It is up to the promoter to determine who belongs with the pros and who is an amateur. Jason Kirkwood continues to play in the amateur division at SBE, after years beating the "pros."

Manny is on his way to L.A. soon to play in the Seminole Tour event at Hollywood Billiards on May 29-31. He won't be the favorite by any means either.
 
Rack'em Wear said:
Manny Chau finishes 5th against the strongest players in the world, but he still plays in the amateur event at the Super Billiards Expo. If someone plays that strong (ie at pro speed) like Chau or Clatterbuck then they should not be considered amateurs. I don't care if they don't travel around making pool their job, it should be based upon the speed they play at.
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You could also look at it this way, why should a player that's starting to play better and better be then immediately knocked out of an arena he's been playing in for over 10 years +. I would like to see Manny consistently hang in the top 5 and win some events before I'd consider him an equal to his competitors. Time will tell if its a fluke or not, then we adjust.
 
Rack'em Wear said:
Manny Chau finishes 5th against the strongest players in the world, but he still plays in the amateur event at the Super Billiards Expo. If someone plays that strong (ie at pro speed) like Chau or Clatterbuck then they should not be considered amateurs. I don't care if they don't travel around making pool their job, it should be based upon the speed they play at.
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Manual Chau was a Brazilian champ I heard, and he is one step or two above Clatterbuck. Clatterbuck is definitely an amateur. Both did not play well in last years US Open, imho. In the previous year Chau over slept and Clatterbuck was out early. Clatterbuck likes to brag about being such a fearsome money player he is, and I heard in 2008 he dropped around 4 grand at Q Masters.
 
Ive played with Manny and i thought he plays extremely well but why is not a pro?? He certainly plays like one :eek:
 
jay helfert said:
A player is going to play wherever they let him play. It is up to the promoter to determine who belongs with the pros and who is an amateur. Jason Kirkwood continues to play in the amateur division at SBE, after years beating the "pros."

Manny is on his way to L.A. soon to play in the Seminole Tour event at Hollywood Billiards on May 29-31. He won't be the favorite by any means either.
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Jason Kirkwood hasn't been allowed to play in the Open Amateur Division at the SBE in quite a number of years now, he has played in the ProAm Event which is a $300.00 entry with the other pro players and a few amateurs that play open/pro speed. The amateurs complaining about pro's playing in amateur events wouldn't consider playing in the ProAm event because of the entry fee and the fact that they would have absolutely no chance of winning.
 
Railbird said:
Jason Kirkwood hasn't been allowed to play in the Open Amateur Division at the SBE in quite a number of years now, he has played in the ProAm Event which is a $300.00 entry with the other pro players and a few amateurs that play open/pro speed. The amateurs complaining about pro's playing in amateur events wouldn't consider playing in the ProAm event because of the entry fee and the fact that they would have absolutely no chance of winning.
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Thanks, that's my mistake then. I thought I saw his name this year again. Who won the Open Amateur event and who finished second and third. Do you know?
 
whitewolf said:
Manual Chau was a Brazilian champ I heard, and he is one step or two above Clatterbuck. Clatterbuck is definitely an amateur. Both did not play well in last years US Open, imho. In the previous year Chau over slept and Clatterbuck was out early. Clatterbuck likes to brag about being such a fearsome money player he is, and I heard in 2008 he dropped around 4 grand at Q Masters.
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No, not Brazil...Manny is from Peru - he was a top player there before coming here several years ago...when he first came here he was a totally unknown player, and was living in Milwaukee, Wi, because his sister lives there.

- Ghost
 
jay helfert said:
Thanks, that's my mistake then. I thought I saw his name this year again. Who won the Open Amateur event and who finished second and third. Do you know?
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1. Matt Clatterbuck
2. Ron Frank, Jr.
3. Marc Vidal and Tom D'Alfonso
 
Thankfully I got to play Manny in an amateur weekly tournament last year. I hope players of his calliber are not barred from all but the pro tournaments. A lot of people like the challenge of playing better players.
 
i saw him play in the king of the hill game at the expo this year....he played great but a PRO? if players of his claiber want to play in pro events shouldnt that be fine? but should he be barred from playing in amature events....i think not....there are a bunch of players who are not pro that can run abunch of racks..and maybe his game is improving...but in all reality how many of us have a chance to win the bca pro or amature events? maybe 5 to 10%... so why make a big deal about a guy who has a chance to win...good for him for improving his game....and if you go to vegas to play in the bca tourny and expect to have a chance to win then all i can say is you better play like manny or better...because there are many overseas players that play in amature and pro events that could win either one of them....just how i fill and might not be the way it should be in some peoples eyes...but o well just my filling on it....mickey ps there are several weekly tournys i houston were hillbilly,sylver,bastrop jr are all playing against players who need the 6 out to even step to the table and people dont say why are they playing.....
 
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AtLarge said:
1. Matt Clatterbuck
2. Ron Frank, Jr.
3. Marc Vidal and Tom D'Alfonso
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Marc Vidal and Tom D'Alfonso - amateurs. Right! Wonder how many major tournaments these guys have played in? Both are regulars in tours full of pro players, like the Joss Northeast tour and the Florida tour. And they usually cash high as well. Nothing against either player, but to call them amateurs is a stretch.
 
jay helfert said:
Thanks, that's my mistake then. I thought I saw his name this year again. Who won the Open Amateur event and who finished second and third. Do you know?
Click to expand...

Open Amateur Championship
1st - Matt Clatterbuck
2nd - Ron Frank Jr.
3rd/4th - Marc Vidal/Tom D'Alfonso

ProAm Bar Table Challenge
1st - Matt Krah
2nd - Oscar Dominguez
3rd/4th - Jorge Rodriguez/Shane Winters
 
whitewolf said:
Manual Chau was a Brazilian champ I heard, and he is one step or two above Clatterbuck.
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Not such fantastic info... Manny's Peruvian, and is a very slight underdog to Matt Clatterbuck according to most people around here. He works hard on his game, though, and to watch him playing short races in the local tournaments, it's not easy to spot the differences between him and a pro.

-Andrew
 
Without a true organization that professional players can commit to and that will commit to them, how can anyone define the line between pro and amateur? Maybe Manny was playing 2 balls better than his normal for two days, its happened to me. Does that mean that should now be considered his speed?

There is no money in pool, let the guy try to earn some where he can. Until a governing body can make a determination on players, it's up to the whim of each tournament.

Larry Price is a two time winner at the Derby City Classic. I would consider that accomplishment the work of a professional player. He in fact makes his living playing pool, but last week he was in the amateur division of the BCA 8 ball. If I recall correctly, he was also an amateur at the SBE.

Next time you see these guys, make sure you ask to see their pro card since apparently they play that well; I hear the new cards are laminated and look pretty cool ;)
 
Manny played very, very good in this tournament - I watched several of his matches. I was very proud of him and very happy for him!! It was obvious that he wanted to play well after winning the qualifier to this event.

Congrat's Manny!
 
akaTrigger said:
Manny played very, very good in this tournament - I watched several of his matches. I was very proud of him and very happy for him!! It was obvious that he wanted to play well after winning the qualifier to this event.

Congrat's Manny!
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It was a big step up for Manny. By far his best finish in a major tournament. He's in L.A. now getting ready for the Seminole tourney.
 
whitewolf said:
... Clatterbuck likes to brag about being such a fearsome money player he is, and I heard in 2008 he dropped around 4 grand at Q Masters.
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Huh?!

Matt is far from a braggart. He just wants to play and if the game is right, there can be some money won.

A big difference between being confident and bragging...
 
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