Blame your family...

I think most know what SVB practice ethic's are! 10-012 hrs a day hitting balls. I just wonder how good he would be if he had a couple of kids and a wife. That 10-12 hrs would be cut drastically with school and sports activities for the kids. Buddy Hall is the only one I know of that was able to keep his family life and the ability to compete at the top. As we know Buddy has quite a few kids too.
 
macguy said:
What are you talking about, people sacrifice for their family all the time that is just reality. They stay in jobs they hate because they need the security, go without things they would have if they didn't have responsibilities of a family. And yes if caught at the right time and in the right frame of mind may have some resentments.

They are in a backhanded way saying, "If they were irresponsible and selfish like many of the people who do nothing but play pool they could be a better player". It is most likely true. It is not an excuse it is the truth. If they didn't have anything else to think about they could be better pool players.

"But",
would they really trade their lives and families for the life of most pool players? People who pretty much have nothing, no health insurance, no real relationships and are for the most part parasites who will borrow from anyone dumb enough to lone them money. Beg for sponsors to play in tournaments because they won't put up their own money.

I would say they are content to just remain a "B" player as they spend the weekend with their kids at the beach or out fishing on their boat and if one of them gets sick they can actually go to a doctor. They may at times show a frustration but don't take it literally, they would not trade.
Click to expand...

Well said ...
 
Sweet ass job man! There is no rest for the wicked, and a job like that is for the wicked! I hope that someday you can find a balance. If there is ever a time I could do some data entry so you can go play pool let me know...;)

To the guy before, yes I have both, and yes I understand having to stop playing to take care of business. I was #1 in trick shots when I decided to stop playing pool all day everyday. I have even turned down ESPN to be on that trick shot program... I'll bet I am the only guy ever to do that. I stopped playing trick shots while I was one of the highest paid pro's on the planet probably top 20.

You talk about giving something up to be married with kids..What did you give up? Your life because I look at it like I gained everything and gave up nothing...

I do not blame anything or anyone for my short comings. They are my badges of honor as well. Maybe even more so.

What is the worst part of being a pro pool player???
No one will ever ask you to wake up before noon.
and my favorite pool joke I have made up...
"Quick go get a pool player there is an emergency that only the greatest pool player can take care of" lol
 
JamisonNeu said:
Sweet ass job man! There is no rest for the wicked, and a job like that is for the wicked! I hope that someday you can find a balance. If there is ever a time I could do some data entry so you can go play pool let me know...;)

To the guy before, yes I have both, and yes I understand having to stop playing to take care of business. I was #1 in trick shots when I decided to stop playing pool all day everyday. I have even turned down ESPN to be on that trick shot program... I'll bet I am the only guy ever to do that. I stopped playing trick shots while I was one of the highest paid pro's on the planet probably top 20.

You talk about giving something up to be married with kids..What did you give up? Your life because I look at it like I gained everything and gave up nothing...

I do not blame anything or anyone for my short comings. They are my badges of honor as well. Maybe even more so.

What is the worst part of being a pro pool player???
No one will ever ask you to wake up before noon.
and my favorite pool joke I have made up...
"Quick go get a pool player there is an emergency that only the greatest pool player can take care of" lol
Click to expand...

In the past several years professional players are increasingly having to play 8am and 10am matches in professional events.

Some of the professionals I have seen have very busy schedules that require a lot of commitment.

Being a professional pool player is simply a low-paid profession that exists to entertain the die hard fans. It is not the most frivolous endeavor nor very glamorous. It's just a way of life like so much else.

People who say that their game suffers because of personal life obligations are correct. Statistically people who have more time to practice and compete are better players on average.

I do not believe that the people on here who mention it are saying that they wish they didn't have personal responsibilities so that they could actually focus on pool. I get the feeling that many of us see it as a fantasy and not what we really want.
 
gunzby said:
Wish I could have that schedule

Monday-Thursday I'm at work from 630pm-630am. I get up at 4pm to get ready for work, leave at 530pm and I am home at 715am. Then I take the kid to school and if I am lucky I can take a shower and be in bed by 830am to do it all over again.

Get off work Friday or Saturday morning at 630am where if I want to play I can either take a short nap and be at the hall by 11am or I usually just don't go to sleep so I make sure to be there at 11am so I can play for 3-4 hours. I usually make time to play Friday, Saturday and Sunday for a few hours in the afternoon, but never all day and all night.
Click to expand...

I should add on to this. If I was single I would most likely still have this schedule. The only difference is that I might play in more tournaments, but I am certainly not blaming my family for that. I would rather spend more time with them than possibly cash in a tournament.

In reality if I was absolutely committed to improving at all costs I would go to sleep after work, wake up on 4 hours sleep and head to the hall for a few hours every day before work. I do love my sleep though :)
 
JamisonNeu said:
I will never understand why people take shots at their own family blaming their own kids, and love of their life for the reason they can't play.

I mean to say "I can't play because I have a family and kids..."

This blame your family game is sick...STOP IT. You just aren't ever going to be as good as you think you should be ok..

Funny thing is, I'll bet some of the people that say this deranged crap, would also if given the option trade their family's in for pool balls...
Click to expand...


I agree with you completely, there is nothing more important than family including this game. I think in most cases people are just venting and thruly do not mean what they say, at least I would hope so.:)

JIMO
 
manwon said:
I agree with you completely, there is nothing more important than family including this game. I think in most cases people are just venting and thruly do not mean what they say, at least I would hope so.:)

JIMO
Click to expand...

Now that is a good post. I too hope you are right!
 
7:15am: actually get out of bed, take a shower, get ready for work.
Click to expand...

You're lying. Big Tony eats M&Ms or Skittles before getting out of bed.

My wife watches TV after supper and usually goes to bed between 9 and 10.
I'm usually on my way to the pool hall or bar to play by 8 or 9.
I work different shifts so the wife doesn't expect me to sit at home by myself when there
are alternatives, like playing pool. I'm lucky that way.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top