Why do professional players and promoters turn away less talented players? To make any tournament or event successful, less talented players are needed to fill the bracket or to fill the venue. (i.e. Masters 10 Ball event)
With full or maxed out brackets, the prize money is increased which means there is more money for the cream of the crop, the pros. Yet, the pros and wannabees whine about, the pocket size, the table, the game, higher entry fee and removing the “luck” factor. All that does is decrease the chance that the lesser player will play in the event. With fewer players the prize money goes down and then the pros whine about how there is no money in pool and they deserve more. Wow, it simply can’t be both ways.
What would happen if the top 32 ranked pros decided to have a twice a month tournament, run by them, at Anyroom, USA? The entry fee would be $1000. The 9 foot table (9 footers only because most rooms don’t have 10 footers) with pockets that would be 3 inches. The game would be 10-ball with a re-spot if the 10 goes on the break. Push out after the break. The race would be first one to win 20 games. Every shot needs to be called, including rails, caroms and combinations, to a pocket or a safe. If the referee deems that a missed shot resulted in a “lucky” leave, the incoming player could force the “lucky” player to shoot again. Only the top 3 players would be paid, 1st = $16,000, 2nd = $11,000 and 3rd = $5,000. Some pros could make a pretty good living. There would be nothing taken out of the prize fund or additional money for the room owner as he should be glad to recover the tables, level the tables, shim the pockets, buy new balls and lose his regular business for a week to host such an event. Heck, we all know that the owner can make that all up in the gate, liquor and food sales, getting sponsors and selling booth space.
I would guess that even with that talent pool it wouldn’t be long before some of the 32 would not show up. Why? Because they don’t feel they have a chance! Sure, some players would try it for awhile but when the players that can’t compete drop out, the prize money goes down. Eventually the tournament folds because only the cream of the crop are left standing and even they are not going to put in the $1000 on a continual basis against such tough conditions.
OH, WHAT? The conditions are exactly what some pros dream about, yet they can’t make a living because the money of the lesser players is not being put into the prize fund.
The pros should welcome and be gracious to any player that enters any pro event. All players deserve respect and shouldn’t be belittled because they got a roll or got on a roll and won a match when they shouldn’t of. The pros need those players. The promoters need those players. Go back to the game, table, pockets and rules where the shortstop might have a chance to win a match. Too bad if the pro gets beat by the shortstop. If the pro doesn’t like it, they don’t have to play. That isn’t going to hurt the tournament any if a higher ranked pro doesn’t play. In fact, if that is advertised, it might increase the entries from the shortstops as they could end up finishing higher. That also leaves more money for the pros that stick with the tournament.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but, that’s my opinion and I’m sticking to it, until proven completely wrong.
70+ players at the SBE pro event - $500 entry – 10 ball
Over 1200 players in the amateur events - $75 entry – 9 ball
Somewhere there has to be a happy medium between the two. What is it?
With full or maxed out brackets, the prize money is increased which means there is more money for the cream of the crop, the pros. Yet, the pros and wannabees whine about, the pocket size, the table, the game, higher entry fee and removing the “luck” factor. All that does is decrease the chance that the lesser player will play in the event. With fewer players the prize money goes down and then the pros whine about how there is no money in pool and they deserve more. Wow, it simply can’t be both ways.
What would happen if the top 32 ranked pros decided to have a twice a month tournament, run by them, at Anyroom, USA? The entry fee would be $1000. The 9 foot table (9 footers only because most rooms don’t have 10 footers) with pockets that would be 3 inches. The game would be 10-ball with a re-spot if the 10 goes on the break. Push out after the break. The race would be first one to win 20 games. Every shot needs to be called, including rails, caroms and combinations, to a pocket or a safe. If the referee deems that a missed shot resulted in a “lucky” leave, the incoming player could force the “lucky” player to shoot again. Only the top 3 players would be paid, 1st = $16,000, 2nd = $11,000 and 3rd = $5,000. Some pros could make a pretty good living. There would be nothing taken out of the prize fund or additional money for the room owner as he should be glad to recover the tables, level the tables, shim the pockets, buy new balls and lose his regular business for a week to host such an event. Heck, we all know that the owner can make that all up in the gate, liquor and food sales, getting sponsors and selling booth space.
I would guess that even with that talent pool it wouldn’t be long before some of the 32 would not show up. Why? Because they don’t feel they have a chance! Sure, some players would try it for awhile but when the players that can’t compete drop out, the prize money goes down. Eventually the tournament folds because only the cream of the crop are left standing and even they are not going to put in the $1000 on a continual basis against such tough conditions.
OH, WHAT? The conditions are exactly what some pros dream about, yet they can’t make a living because the money of the lesser players is not being put into the prize fund.
The pros should welcome and be gracious to any player that enters any pro event. All players deserve respect and shouldn’t be belittled because they got a roll or got on a roll and won a match when they shouldn’t of. The pros need those players. The promoters need those players. Go back to the game, table, pockets and rules where the shortstop might have a chance to win a match. Too bad if the pro gets beat by the shortstop. If the pro doesn’t like it, they don’t have to play. That isn’t going to hurt the tournament any if a higher ranked pro doesn’t play. In fact, if that is advertised, it might increase the entries from the shortstops as they could end up finishing higher. That also leaves more money for the pros that stick with the tournament.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but, that’s my opinion and I’m sticking to it, until proven completely wrong.
70+ players at the SBE pro event - $500 entry – 10 ball
Over 1200 players in the amateur events - $75 entry – 9 ball
Somewhere there has to be a happy medium between the two. What is it?
Playing the game to get money added, players, spectators and media coverage sucks.