Can you become a AA/world beater at the age of 40'sh....

OTB

OTB

I DIDN'T DO IT!!!!
Silver Member
I'm no way a AA player or even close, I have the benifit of owning a billiards store and all, but I have never really given the game the respect of time/practice that it deserves. I have been in a league off and on and been to a few tournaments at most but just never really gave it my all.
I'm sitting here thinking MY GOD!! my livellyhood is the pool buisness, what am I doing..... I'm not happy with my pool shooting ability. I know I need to practice more and get the drive to better my game, I'm just trying figure out how. I have 5-6 hours a day I can practice but just dont........... As the heading for this thread says, Can I at 42 bring my game up to the level (AA) to compete at the upper tournament level, or is my age and ability going to hinder me from advancing. :help:

NOTE: I HATE HANDICAP TOURNAMENTS, IF I GET MY ASS HANDED TO ME SO BE IT,.. THERE BETTER THAN ME.....I JUST WANT TO HAND THEM THERE ASS ONCE AND AWHILE TOO............OTB
 
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I don't see why not. Also, remember that if you shoot for the stars you might hit the moon. Good luck!
 
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I don't believe that age is the end all be all of playing pool. I think one of the big reasons you don't hear about any older players (I'm talking >30) is because they don't have the time.

Everyone I have talked to that is a monster player had at least 2-3 years where pool was the entirety of their life. Each of them played a minimum of 8-12 hours a day for the entire period, practicing, gambling, and playing in tournaments. How many 40 year olds have the ability to put in 8 hours a day playing? Most have a job, spouse, kids, etc - all things that an 18 year old does not have to hinder their progress.

I believe that being young does give you some physical advantages over being older. Also, if you have been playing for 20 years your muscle memory is typically ingrained, be it good or bad.

I know a guy who has been playing about 10 years and he is an A player. He is around 45, but he is also a millionaire and has dedicated the past few years to pretty much nothing but playing pool.
 
One thing I got, is time. I dont need to do much at my store the work is easy, I have no less than 4-5 hours a day to practice......I'm going to give it 6-8 months of my all.....work permitting and see what happens......I hope its not wasted time. Just looking for peoples input..........OTB


brandoncook26 said:
I don't believe that age is the end all be all of playing pool. I think one of the big reasons you don't hear about any older players (I'm talking >30) is because they don't have the time.

Everyone I have talked to that is a monster player had at least 2-3 years where pool was the entirety of their life. Each of them played a minimum of 8-12 hours a day for the entire period, practicing, gambling, and playing in tournaments. How many 40 year olds have the ability to put in 8 hours a day playing? Most have a job, spouse, kids, etc - all things that an 18 year old does not have to hinder their progress.

I believe that being young does give you some physical advantages over being older. Also, if you have been playing for 20 years your muscle memory is typically ingrained, be it good or bad.

I know a guy who has been playing about 10 years and he is an A player. He is around 45, but he is also a millionaire and has dedicated the past few years to pretty much nothing but playing pool.
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The Best Of Both Worlds

At the age of 43 Im playing the best Ive ever played. I had Lasik eye surgery and Ive also been putting a couple of hours in on the table every day. I have 20/20 vision of a 20 year old and the good sense of a 43 yo father of 3. I feel like I have the best of both worlds, Great eyesight and a wealth of life experience that allows me to be patient at the table like never before. Ive also read a few self help books which got me on the right track to achieving my goals.
 
It would be hard to definitively say no but statistically the odds are very very slim to make AA or better status at any age much less at 40+. that being said I wish you the best of luck on your pool goals:thumbup:
 
If I'm not mistaken, Mike Lebron became a top player when he was 40+. Its possible, especially in non rotation games like 1P, banks or 14.1. I think the reason why you don't see people doing it at that age is that they get so busy with kids, marriage, grandkids, careers, bills, etc. I know personally I don't play anymore just because I can't devote the amount of time I need to be able to. I'm 39 now and probobly won't be able to devote the amount of time I would need to play probobly until I'm around 50, but one day I guess I'll be back in it.
 
getting to an AA status

Most players will spend a lifetime casually playing pool and never achieve an AA status; however, if you commit youreslf to achiveing that goal and you can devote at least 2-3 years you can get there.

4-5 hours a day is sufficient but you must be sure you are practicing the key components that allow the body and mind to achieve such a level. Most players are completely unaware of all the key, performance aspects so they will spend decades never reaching that level.

If you really want to get there I can point you in the right direction. Contact me personally at rrick33@hotmail.com.
 
The issue for me is that even when I have the time, I find it hard to focus while practicing for such a long time. Secondly, I probably don't have the ability to get to that level anyway even if I did have the time.
 
I'm almost 65 and I only play twice a week and I can still string a couple 2 or 3 racks of 9 or 10 ball together.
The only time age comes into play is if you have lost some vision or have other physical problems that affect your stance or stroke.
I have been lucky that I have no physical or vision problems so far.
Mentally I'm a train wreck but I can still pocket the balls :grin:
 
brandoncook26 said:
How many 40 year olds have the ability to put in 8 hours a day playing? Most have a job, spouse, kids, etc - all things that an 18 year old does not have to hinder their progress.
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Ah , Brandon , you'll find that 40 is the MAGIC number !
the boss let you go for someone younger who'll work cheaper
the wife left you for someone (richer , thinner , more understanding , addicted to meth , whatever . . . . ):cool:
and the gives are grown and out on their own (quick , get a 1 room apartment before they try to move back in)!
you've got NOTHING better to do than practice , practice , practice

but back on topic , OTB , who knows? It's more than just practice , practice , practice. A good instructor (one who's actually WON something , not just a "those as can't , teach" guy) is worth his weight in gold.
 
I know a guy who first picked up a cue around 35 and was an A player by the time he was 40. His biggest hurdle is stroke power, and it never really got 'great'. He makes up for it by playing conservatively, being mentally very strong (he was a competitive golfer and bowler before pool), and putting in A LOT of hours (think 30+ a week, every week). He has since taken up darts. I think the plateau hit him real hard and he just lost the motivation to practice.

Starting at a later age and having a higher goal than my friend, I would say that your chances are slim, but not zero. There are plenty of teen to 20ish kids putting in 40+ hours a week in tournaments, gambling, and practicing who still don't make it to the top. It all depends on how talented you are, how much motivation you have, and how much time you are willing to devote.

One more thing that might matter is what level you are starting at. I assumed you are pretty much a beginner when writing the above. If you are already a solid A player, your odds are probably almost decent if you devote a lot of time to the game.
 
I own a billiard store, not a beginner per say, I would be a solid 6 APA or 8.8 BCA right now......I just dont give my game attention at all....I really would like to hit tournaments and not be donating all the time. My game was better 20 years ago when I would shoot 4-5 nights a week at the local poolhall or in my familys basement with freinds for nights on end.


Masayoshi said:
I know a guy who first picked up a cue around 35 and was an A player by the time he was 40. His biggest hurdle is stroke power, and it never really got 'great'. He makes up for it by playing conservatively, being mentally very strong (he was a competitive golfer and bowler before pool), and putting in A LOT of hours (think 30+ a week, every week). He has since taken up darts. I think the plateau hit him real hard and he just lost the motivation to practice.

Starting at a later age and having a higher goal than my friend, I would say that your chances are slim, but not zero. There are plenty of teen to 20ish kids putting in 40+ hours a week in tournaments, gambling, and practicing who still don't make it to the top. It all depends on how talented you are, how much motivation you have, and how much time you are willing to devote.

One more thing that might matter is what level you are starting at. I assumed you are pretty much a beginner when writing the above. If you are already a solid A player, your odds are probably almost decent if you devote a lot of time to the game.
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OTB said:
I own a billiard store i'm not a beginner per say, I would be a solid 6 APA or 8.8 BCA right now......I just dont give my game attention at all....I really would like to hit tournaments and not be donating all the time. My game was better 20 years ago when I would shoot 4-5 nights a week at the local poolhall or in my familys basement with freinds for nights on end.
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In that case, your odds probably fall somewhere in between "slim, but not zero" and "almost decent". It all depends on you, pretty much, just know that if you were in your 20's asking the same question, the odds would still not be in your favor. There are plenty of people who play their entire lives who still aren't world beaters.
 
OTB said:
I'm no way a AA player or even close, I have the benifit of owning a billiards store and all, but I have never really given the game the respect of time/practice that it deserves. I have been in a league off and on and been to a few tournaments at most but just never really gave it my all.
I'm sitting here thinking MY GOD!! my livellyhood is the pool buisness, what am I doing..... I'm not happy with my pool shooting ability. I know I need to practice more and get the drive to better my game, I'm just trying figure out how. I have 5-6 hours a day I can practice but just dont........... As the heading for this thread says, Can I at 42 bring my game up to the level (AA) to compete at the upper tournament level, or is my age and ability going to hinder me from advancing. :help:

NOTE: I HATE HANDICAP TOURNAMENTS, IF I GET MY ASS HANDED TO ME SO BE IT,.. THERE BETTER THAN ME.....I JUST WANT TO HAND THEM THERE ASS ONCE AND AWHILE TOO............OTB
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Yes. You have to put in the dedicated time and effort and get some truly great coaching.

www.jbcases.com
 
not even a 1 in a million chance
if you have been playing a couple of years and
you are not great,chances are you never will be

coaching,practice,dedication and 8 hours a day
and the chances of beating buddy hall are 0

but of course if you are the type to follow a dream regardless
go ahead outrun the nuts

i never bought the idea that all you need is a dream
or positive attitude or don't discourage the boy

realistically its impossible

spend the time on your day job
 
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OTB said:
I'm no way a AA player or even close, I have the benifit of owning a billiards store and all, but I have never really given the game the respect of time/practice that it deserves. I have been in a league off and on and been to a few tournaments at most but just never really gave it my all.
I'm sitting here thinking MY GOD!! my livellyhood is the pool buisness, what am I doing..... I'm not happy with my pool shooting ability. I know I need to practice more and get the drive to better my game, I'm just trying figure out how. I have 5-6 hours a day I can practice but just dont........... As the heading for this thread says, Can I at 42 bring my game up to the level (AA) to compete at the upper tournament level, or is my age and ability going to hinder me from advancing. :help:

NOTE: I HATE HANDICAP TOURNAMENTS, IF I GET MY ASS HANDED TO ME SO BE IT,.. THERE BETTER THAN ME.....I JUST WANT TO HAND THEM THERE ASS ONCE AND AWHILE TOO............OTB
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No where do I hear any real dedication to getting better. It's more like a stream (dream) of consciousness that you're sharing with us, something that maybe you'd like to do. If you lay out certain goals for yourself and state them publicly on here, than that would mean something. Right now I suspect you lack the proper motivation to follow through on your dream/plan.

It doesn't really matter what any of us say to you, it's entirely up to you how far you go and how much you improve. We can't motivate you, only you can do that. I have the same problem, lack of motivation to put in the necessary time to play good pool. So I know of what I speak. And I'm a lot older than you. I started playing again a few weeks ago after about a year off, in preparation for DCC. I played so-so when I was there. Thanks to Manny Chau who was staying with me I kept playing after I returned. I'm just now (after three weeks) starting to hit the balls good. It's a lot more fun when you start playing well, I can tell you that. :smile:

P.S. I rate my Bank game at the A level right now, one speed below the pros. If there is anyone in the L.A. area who wants to dispute that I invite them to bring it on. This old dog ain't dead yet!
 
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I'm going to crack down and practice, look at my stroke and see what needs improvment and put the time in, I say this but I guess time will tell.........
 
OTB said:
I'm going to crack down and practice, look at my stroke and see what needs improvment and put the time in, I say this but I guess time will tell.........
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What speed do you play now? If you play 8 or 9 speed, i'd say 10 speed is not out of the question. World beater? Highly doubtful. I'd say if you want to play at your best ability, Match up for $ as much as you can, and not with people that play worse than you. Bare down on everything you shoot at, wether it be for, practice, or cash. It should all get the same focus, and concentration. Missing a ball you were trying to make, is never o.k. Have a friend kick you in the nuts, or judo chop you in the throat or something when you do.:thumbup: Good Luck!!
 
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